Jeremiah watts



(No Model.)

J. WATTS. OPTICAL ATTACHMENT FOR'YSEWING MACHINES. No. 2mm/'1.V Patented Peb.l 26,1884.

' Atorneys,

f i y JWM@ iin iran @rares PATENT Ormea,

JEREMIAH WATTS, OF RACINE, W'ISCONSIN.

OPTICAL ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 294,171, dated February 26, 1884.

Application tiled April 14, 1883. (No model.)

ation of sewing, as will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a sewing-machine, showing my device attached thereto by lclamp and set-screw in position for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing myv device attached tothe machine by stud and set-screw, and showingits position turned up out of the way when not in use; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of 'the attachment and clamping-bracket removed from the machine.

A represents the arm of a sewing-machine of any ordinary construction. B is a portion of the table, and C represents cloth or other fabric resting thereon while being stitched. D is the optical attachment, consisting, primarily, of magnifying-glass d, hinge d', and stem d2. E is a stud, which is either secured to theclamp F, to adapt it to machines already in the market, as in Fig. l, or else di-rectly to the arm A itself, as in Fig. 2, in machines constructed with especial reference to my attachment. In either case the said studis provided with a transverse perforation, e, (running diagonally of the upright portion of the arm A of the machine,) to receive the stem d2 of the attachment, and with the set-screw c', to secure said stem when it is inthe desired position.

As indicated above, when the sewing-ma. chine is newly constructed with reference to this attachment, or when it can be otherwise conveniently done, the stud E is cast with or secured directly to the upright portion of the arm A of the machine; but in order to accommodate those who have Valready procured their machines, and who cannot without much inconvenience have the a-rm drilled to receive the said stud, I have devised the above-named clamp F, which is preferably of the form shown in Fig. 3, and which has the set-screw f in one end, (so as to hold it rigid when it has been adl drawings illustrate the relative appearance of the work with and without the glass.

The operation of my device will be clearly understood from the foregoing. Vhen the bracket or clamp bearing the stud has been secured to place, and the stem d2 of the attachment pushed through the hole ein the said stud, the stem is moved back or forth until the operator obtains the needed focus through the lens d, and then the set-screw e is tightened against the stem d'1, and the attachment is in position for use. Vhen not in use, it is not necessary to detach the stem from the stud, (nor to loosen the clamp F, if that be used 5) butby reason of the hinge d the lens d can be simply turned up Vagainst the said arm A, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus be out of the way.

The utility and convenience of a device of this character will be apparent to all who use sewingmachines. In dark rooms or on dull days it is often difficult to see the work satis,

factorily, even when the operator is keen-eyed 5 but to those who are obliged ordinarily to wear eyeglasses or spectacles (especially when sewing) it will be particularly useful. The motion of the treadle communicates an unconscious jar or motion to the operator, who thus slightly moves his or her head and body with the reciprocations of thetreadle. This, in the case of one wearing glasses, results in constantly changing the focal point of the lens, and is not only an obstruction or interference to the rapid and continuous observation, but it often results in severe headache, owing to the sensitiveness of the human eye. Vith my device the work is always so greatly magnied that it will show the seams, 8mo., clearly on a dark day or in an imperfectly-lighted room,

IOO

and, furthermore, the operator can dispense with eyeglasses or spectacles, and merely de pend on the lens d for inspection of the work at any time.

My stud E may be cast rigidly with the arm A or with the clamp F; or it may be formed with a shoulder adapted to t tightly within a round hole bored in the arni or clamp, and yet be capable of being turned therein, and this latter construction is a decided advantage, inasmuch as the angle of the diagonal perforation e in said stud may thereby be changed to vary the inclination of the stem el of the attachment, and yet the stud will be always held by friction to whatever adj ustment nit has been turned.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a sewing-machine, the combination of the needle, needle-bar, the head, a clamp upon the head, an adjustable arm held by the clamp, and a magnifying-glass and frame therefor, the said frame being jointed to the adjustable arm, whereby the position of the glass may be :z5

controlled upon the end of the arm with ret. erence to the work under the needle, substan tially as set forth. j

2. In combination with the head of a sewing-machine, a magnifyingglass held by an 3o adjustable arm secured thereto, and provided with a hinge, whereby yit may be turned np against the said part when not in use, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I 35 have hereunto set my hand, on this 5th dayof July, n1882in the presence of two witnesses.

JEREMIAH VAT'IS.

Illitnesses: S. S. SToU'r,

HAROLD G; UNDnRwooD. 

